(L-R) Lang Lang, Chairman of Montblanc Cultural Foundation; Cissy Pao Watari , 2012 Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Awardee; Lutz Bethge, CEO of Montblanc International and Vice Chairman of Montblanc Cultural Foundation
Montblanc has presented this year’s Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award to Mrs. Cissy Pao Watari. Each year, since 1992, the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award has celebrated the work of outstanding private patrons of the arts throughout the world.
Mr. Lang Lang, Chairman of the Montblanc Cultural Foundation, Mr. Lutz Bethge, CEO of Montblanc International and Vice Chairman of Montblanc Cultural Foundation, were in town for the ceremony.
Together, they presented the prize to Mrs Cissy Pao Watari, “A Tribute to an Enlightened Promoter of Art, Joseph II” fountain pen specially crafted for her. In a rousing finish, the principal dancer of Hong Kong Ballet, Jin Yao and soloist, Wei Wei gave a stellar performance in tribute to Cissy.
For the record, here’s how the winners are selected: a jury of internationally renowned artists chooses 12 winners from 12 countries. The winner in each country receives a Montblanc Limited Edition ‘Patron of Art’ pen, specially created for the Montblanc de la Culture, as well as 15.000 EUR, which they can donate to the arts programme of their choice.
The winners in the 12 participating countries this year are: China –Chen Dong Sheng, France –Edouard Carmignac, Germany –Julia Stoschek, Hong Kong –Cissy Pao Watari, Italy –Renzo Piano, Japan –Soichiro Fukutake, Korea –Chung Hee-Ja, Mexico –César Cervantes, Russia –Yevgeny Mironov, Spain –Leopoldo Rodés Castañé, United Kingdom –Andrew Lloyd Webber , USA –Quincy Jones.
Cissy Pao Watari and Shelley Lee
Piano performance by Lang Lang
(L-R) Helen Rong Giacotto, Lang Lang. Stefano Giacotto and guest of Helen Rong
Olivia Davies, Charles Yang
(L-R) Helena pong, Melissa Fok, Wendy Chiu, Jenny Chau
Cissy Pao Watari, Yvette Yuen
(L-R) Nancy Chiu, Lang Lang, David Chiu, Winnie Chiu
